How to Bezel a Cabochon With Seed Beads
In jewelry, a bezel is similar to a frame. The bezel can fit around the perimeter of a single gem or encompass a resin or glass creation. Cabochons are flat-backed stones, often made from colorful glass. One way to create a pendant or brooch with a cabochon is to frame it with a seed-bead bezel. Select small size 11 to 15 seed beads to complement the colors in the cabochon. These tiny glass beads are available in an array of colors from craft and bead supply stores.
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Things You'll Need
- Suede
- Scissors
- Cabochon
- Viscous jeweler's glue
- Size 10 beading needle
- Waxed beading thread
- Size 11 seed beads
Instructions
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Cut a swatch of suede, leather, felt or other fabric 1/8 inch larger around than the perimeter of the cabochon.
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2
Glue the flat back of the cabochon onto the center of the fabric with viscous jeweler's glue. Allow the glue to dry completely.
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3
Thread a size-10 beading needle with 3 feet of waxed beading thread. Pull the thread through the needle's eye 15 inches or so. This is the tail thread. Tie a double overhand knot in the working thread. As you stitch the seed beads around the cabochon to make the bezel, the tail thread becomes the working thread.
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4
Insert the needle through the suede next to the edge of the cabochon at the top. Pull the thread through the fabric until it is stopped by the knot.
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Thread a size-11 seed bead over the needle to the suede. Hold the seed bead flush against the fabric as you insert the needle back down into the fabric immediately beside the bead. Pull the thread taut.
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Pass the needle through one of the seed beads around the perimeter of the cabochon. Thread another size-11 seed bead over the needle to the fabric. The second row of seed beads should rest flush against the first row.
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Pass the needle back down through the fabric to stitch the bead in place. Continue to stitch a row of seed beads around the first row, one bead at a time.
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Repeat to create a third row of the bezel if you have room on the fabric. Knot the thread on the back of the fabric after stitching your last seed bead. If there is any fabric visible around the rim of the seed bead bezel, trim it away.
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9
Cover the knots on the back of the fabric with viscous jeweler's glue. Allow the glue to dry.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit jewelry findings image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
